Karan Jani, a renowned Indian astrophysicist who is now settled in the US has alleged on social media that he and his friends were denied entry to a Garba venue in Atlanta, Georgia because the organisers felt that his surname didn’t sound “Hindu” enough. Reportedly, the temple officials told Jani and his friends that he does not look Hindu and that his last name does not sound Hindu.

Indian astrophysicist denied entry at Garba event

In a series of tweets, the 29-year-old from Vadodara narrated his ordeal. He said that his Konkani friend who came to play Garba for the first time was denied entry as well. The authorities said, “We don’t come to your events, you are not allowed to ours.” When she tried to explain that she is a Kannada-Marathi, one of the organisers reportedly told her, “What is Kannada? You are Ismaili.”

My Konkani friend who came to Garba for 1st time *due to enthusiasm of us Gujaratis* was pulled out of line & was told:

He claimed that even though the bunch spoke in Gujarati to the organisers, the organisers told them that they were “Vohra, Sindhis.” In a video which was uploaded by Jani, others can be seen gaining access into the venue. Expressing his displeasure, he wrote, “They actually kept stating other religions!!” The organisers at Sri Shaki Mandir reportedly ganged up against the group and asked them to leave. Moreover, Jani tweeted that he has been going to the Garba event six years now and has never faced anything like this during 12 years that he has been living in the USA.

Jani told The Times Of India that he had received a call from the temple’s management later and that the chairman even apologised to him and said that the temple does not believe in discrimination. Jani informed that the chairman had said that there was some miscommunication on the part of the volunteers, however, the treatment that they received was anything but welcoming.

In 2016, Jani became a part of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) team in the US which discovered the gravitational waves, a century after Albert Einstein had predicted them. After Jani’s series of tweets, many people came in support of him while condemning the organisers’ behaviour as well.

Welcome Move: Malaysia Has Introduced Multiple-Entry Visas For Up To 15 Days For Indian Tourists

Partner Story

This Diwali Let Us Rebuild Schools To Secure A Better Future For The Country

We all have memories attached to our schools. Yes, obviously we do, otherwise, why would we be all excited for our school’s 10-year reunion? Because reunions are the time when we get to relive those juvenile memories and cherish the good old days.

The times we shared the same bench with our best friend and played tic tac toe on the desk. The times we took toilet breaks in the middle of a class only to secretly loiter around the corridors. The brilliant lunches we shared with our friends on the school playground during recess. Reminiscing over these memories warms our hearts.

Did you know that at least 35 million children between the age group of 6-14 do not attend school in India? There have been several reports that girls drop out of school because of a lack of basic facilities such as toilets. These children are not only missing out on basic education, but they are also missing out on those wonderful memories.

In a bid to make early education accessible to all, HIL Limitedhas taken a wonderful initiative. HIL Limited believe in the fact that when we do things together, better things happen, standing by their philosophy of ‘Together We Build’. In the film, you can see a small child Kamli. The naive child makes a colorful paper lantern for Diwali and gifts it to her school, which is in shambles. She is eager to learn and her adamant heart still gives her the hope that the colourful lantern might make her broken school a little brighter. After her Diwali holidays, when she comes back to her school and finds it prettier her heart rejoices.

HIL Limited believes that education is the right step towards bringing young minds together and creating a feeling of togetherness. Their social initiative has helped 75,000 children like Kamli by rebuilding their schools.

Now, these children would not miss out on basic education. They will also get to make beautiful memories that they will cherish for a very long time. This would also make their future stronger and more reliable. If you know any such school that needs attention, then please write to[email protected].

The Logical Indian appreciates HIL Limited for the wonderful initiative they have taken to make the future of so many underprivileged children better. Children are the future of the country and we hope that by making their future secure, we are taking our country forward.